This MSc doesn’t just scratch the surface; with the recognition and respect of its professional body, it digs deep, asks searching questions and ultimately alerts employers to your strategic understanding and ability to apply payroll, pensions and reward management practice.

Run in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), the programme is ideal for individuals who already hold a CIPP qualification or degree or equivalent, or have relevant payroll, pensions and/or reward experience who are looking to further their career. You will gain the skills to operate at a strategic business level within your organisation.

It is delivered through blended learning which is a mix of access to online core materials and tools and face to face tutorials. Tutorials enable you to get together with your fellow students to exchange ideas and experience and this module interaction encourages discussion, debate and application of real work based issues.

Tutorials are held at the start of each module and help you to settle in to the course material. They commence on Friday mornings and finish on Saturday afternoon.

Benefits to employers

By completing the programme, not only will you benefit as an individual, but your employer will benefit too, gaining a highly skilled individual who can underpin existing industry knowledge and who will be transformed in to a strategic business leader.

As part of the programme you will be required to submit evidence for continual professional development (CPD), which shows your employer you are up to date with current legislation and policy.

Visit the CIPP website for help on presenting a business case to gain approval for CIPP qualification from your employer. See Key Information section.

MSc

the CIPP Diploma in Payroll Management or the CIPP Diploma in Local Government Pensions Management

the CIPP Foundation Degree in Payroll Management or the CIPP Foundation Degree in Pensions Administration and Management, or

an equivalent qualification attained at level six, for example a BA in another subject

If you do not hold any of the above qualifications, but have knowledge and experience in a strategic role you may be awarded direct access onto the course if you can demonstrate experience via Accredited Prior Learning (APL). APL can be:

Certified (APCL) – to give recognition of learning which has been formally assessed and for which a certificate has been awarded

Experiential (APEL) – to recognise that knowledge and skills can be developed through many types of experience, such as work and voluntary activities

You must hold at least three years’ experience within a business, payroll or pensions environment. In addition your experience should include strategic aspects such as project management, managing change and team leadership. This is subject to final assessment by the University of Derby. To enquire further, please contact CIPP.

The MSc is delivered by blended learning which is a mix of access to online core study materials and tools, with face to face workshops. This means you can remain in employment whilst enhancing your career prospects through qualifications.

It allows you to learn at your own pace from the comfort of your own home, while still feeling confident of adequate support.

Each module has a two day workshop which takes place at the University of Derby Enterprise Centre (DE1 3LD).

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will be communicated after enrolment on your course.